ECMO Might Confer Mortality Benefit in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to COVID-19

Debate continues around use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. Early reports showed very high mortality rates with ECMO, but later observational studies suggested improved survival.

Investigators analyzed more than 7000 patients from the international COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium registry who were supported with mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Patients with partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂:FiO₂) <80 who received ECMO were compared with patients who were supported with mechanical ventilation alone (regardless of PaO₂:FiO₂ measure).

Sixty-day mortality did not differ between groups, …